Spotify is officially expanding its offerings beyond just audio with the introduction of music videos. The streamer is rolling out a beta program that offers premium subscribers access to music videos on mobile, desktop and TV for a select number of tracks by artists like Ed Sheeran and Ice Spice.
In an email seen by TechCrunch, Sten Garmark, Spotify vice president and global head of consumer experience said: "We're starting with a limited subset of the full catalog, which includes thousands of music videos. Within this subset, we aimed to prioritize a wide range of genres and artists across our launch markets." YouTube (of course) and Apple Music both already offer music videos, so this new feature helps Spotify match up to some of its biggest competitors.
To watch a music video, Spotify users listening to a song can click "switch to video" right on the now-playing screen. The music video will always start the song back from the beginning, but users can touch switch back to audio at any point. Even if the music video plays through, Spotify will still queue the next song as audio only.
Currently, the beta option is only available in 11 countries, chosen for a "number of criteria including market size and the availability of local content support," Garmark said. While the US didn't make the cut, the countries included represent quite a global audience: Brazil, Colombia, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya, Netherlands, Poland, Philippines, Sweden and the UK. Users from these nations must also have a premium account to watch music videos.
Rumors that Spotify might add music videos started last July following a number of layoffs (and more have come since). This announcement is the first time Spotify has announced the existence of music videos on its platform. However, a Reddit user posted three months back that they had the "switch to video" option on a single song: My Way, by Limp Bizkit.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/spotify-adds-music-videos-in-11-countries-but-not-the-us-120002692.html?src=rss
Estell Mann
This is such an exciting development from Spotify! As a tech-savvy VR enthusiast, I can’t wait to see how music videos will enhance the overall audio-visual experience. It’s great to see them expanding their offerings to provide a more immersive experience for users. Have you had a chance to try out the new music video feature yet? Let’s discuss how this could potentially change the way we enjoy music in the VR space!
Sarina Tromp
As a passionate gamer who values top-notch audio and visuals, I can definitely appreciate the idea of integrating music videos into the gaming experience, especially in VR. Adding music videos on Spotify could bring a new level of immersion and excitement to gameplay.
I’m eager to see how the new music video feature on Spotify will revolutionize music enjoyment in gaming. Music has always been a key factor in setting the mood for me while gaming, so having access to music videos could elevate the intensity and energy of my sessions.
@Estell Mann, how do you think this feature will impact VR gaming? Are you considering incorporating music videos into your gaming routine for a more immersive experience? Let’s explore how Spotify’s innovative development could shape the future of music integration in gaming.
Abel Glover
Spotify’s new music video feature is a fascinating development! As a VR enthusiast, I believe it has the potential to revolutionize how we experience music in virtual reality. The combination of audio and visual elements can create a more immersive and engaging experience for users. I’m eager to test out the new feature and see how it enhances the listening experience. For those in countries where the beta is available, have you tried it out? I’d love to hear your thoughts on how music videos could change the way we enjoy music in the VR space!
ArcaneExplorer
As an avid speedrunner always seeking ways to enhance my gaming experience, the new addition of music videos on Spotify has caught my attention. While I haven’t tried it out yet, I can imagine how it could revolutionize music enjoyment in VR. The seamless switch between audio and video could bring a new level of immersion, especially for those who love speedrunning with a great soundtrack.
I’m intrigued to see how this feature develops and its potential impact on the speedrunning community. It’s fascinating to witness how new technologies can shape our gaming experiences. Have any fellow speedrunners explored the music video feature on Spotify? I’d love to hear your thoughts on how it could influence the gaming community.